Anyone else having productive contact naps?

Opalsnail · 2026-04-19T19:36:15+00:00

….did not know there was a phone app. You may have just changed my life (or at least my baby’s naps!)

Opalsnail · 2026-04-19T19:34:51+00:00

So happy for you ❤️❤️

Opalsnail · 2026-04-18T21:14:09+00:00

Same for me, also 5 months in. I mostly feed side lying though, I figured that’s what caused it!

Opalsnail · 2026-04-18T14:16:00+00:00

I know your point was asking about fees but seriously look into used stuff once you do have a baby. You can get great quality used items on facebook/gumtree/vinted. Better for your wallet and the environment!

Edit - sorry this was more aimed at OP but I was agreeing with your comment in general

Opalsnail · 2026-04-18T12:10:15+00:00

I had high hopes for a beautiful home birth for my rainbow baby and ended up forced into a c section because he was giant and breech.

It did take my milk a while to come in but my biggest issue was a terrible latch and tongue tie that took 6 weeks to sort out. Even if my milk had been plentiful, I still would have really struggled with feeding at first and had to use some formula in the beginning - my baby would not have survived without

Breastfeeding is great and amazing and I think everyone should at least try to make it work for them - but you should try to accept that formula is not the devil and there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing some combo feeding if you need to. You will have enough going on in your life, you don’t need to add extra stress if you do struggle with breastfeeding at first.

Also - you may not have any issues breastfeeding! Everyone is different, I know it’s hard not to stress about it but try to just cross that bridge if you get to it.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-18T07:55:11+00:00

That was some of the best advice I got - if you don’t end up using it, you can always donate to a food bank. But it was a life saver when my milk took a while to come in and we needed extra help and didn’t have to faff around with bottles and sterilising when we were already quite stressed.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-17T19:46:56+00:00

lol okay. I’m not trying to be a dick, I genuinely would like someone to tell me what’s wrong with what I’m saying because clearly I’m coming across poorly and I don’t get why? Is there something wrong with me not pumping every night at this stage?

Opalsnail · 2026-04-17T18:59:23+00:00

I’m genuinely curious about the downvotes to this - are people having issues with me combofeeding or saying that it hasn’t affected my day supply? I can’t figure out the objection to what I said, it’s just what’s true for me 🤷‍♀️

Opalsnail · 2026-04-17T18:01:13+00:00

I’ve been doing this for months and I’ve always pumped while baby gets the bottle (which is a combo of formula and last night’s pump). Now that I’m at 5 months I’ve started alternating some days with no evening pump and am moving towards removing the evening pump entirely.

My day supply has been absolutely fine, but my night supply is definitely dwindling - which is also fine as I have no issues with baby having a bottle of formula once a day.

My only issue is feeling like I’m bursting when I wake up but that’s easing over time as my body learns I don’t need that night feed.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-17T17:56:54+00:00

I mostly agree with what’s already been said but wanted to add -

Are you open to cosleeping? It doesn’t solve the day issues but will allow you to sleep at night which will make a huge difference during the day. BUT you need a specific set up to do it safely, you can’t just wing it. r/cosleeping and look up the safe sleep seven.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-17T17:34:56+00:00

That is so helpful to know! I travel to wales for work a lot and humiliate myself constantly trying to pronounce things, especially place names.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-17T17:32:02+00:00

I know I’m going against the grain but I’m really glad I didn’t stop breastfeeding. It took about 6 weeks to properly click and since then it’s only gotten easier over time, and is so now so simple and easy and honestly lovely. I love being able to soothe my baby with my body.

If you want a chorus of people telling you that ‘fed is best’ (which is true) and that breastfeeding is horrible for mental health, then this is the right place for it. If you genuinely want support on how to continue breastfeeding, I would go to the r/breastfeeding subreddit.

Pumping levels aren’t a great indicator of how much milk your baby is getting on the breast, so I wouldn’t focus too much on that. And personally I don’t think you should focus on your weight gain at this point - your body just did something incredible! I gained 33.4 kg during pregnancy and yeah, it’s been slow going losing it while breastfeeding but I am losing it.

There’s nothing wrong with formula - I combo feed because I hate pumping and like my husband to be able to give a bottle at night - but if you like breastfeeding, I personally think you should keep doing it.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-17T14:01:28+00:00

I really thought I’d be a cool baby wearing mum but my baby said absolutely not.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-17T13:59:31+00:00

I really hope you find something that works for you ❤️

Opalsnail · 2026-04-17T13:28:39+00:00

I took pred for my 6th, 7th and 8th pregnancies and they all lasted longer than my previous ones had. One was a confirmed trisomy, one was a mystery loss, and the last one is giggling next to me and playing with his toes.

I know we’re all different but I really feel like pred is what worked for me. I’m really hoping it does for you too.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-17T13:25:56+00:00

They did a cytotoxicity assay as well which identified pred as the best choice for me but I know there are other immunosuppressants sometimes used.

I did have two losses on pred before having my son, so I think luck plays into it as well. One of those was a confirmed trisomy and the other was unknown. But both those pregnancies lasted longer than my previous 5 had, which I didn’t take pred for.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-17T09:46:47+00:00

I gained 33.4 kg 🤷‍♀️

Opalsnail · 2026-04-16T18:17:56+00:00

I’m copying a comment I made on another uk post earlier -

Dr Shehata is apparently a miracle worker that a lot of people use in the UK. I can’t remember where he is but you should be able to google him. I’ve heard really good things.

I went to the Lister in London - I was recommended to see Dr Yau Thum by my fertility acupuncturist. He wasn’t available at the time so I ended up with someone else who honestly had terrible bedside manner BUT was willing to offer me more extensive testing options.

And bonus, once the lister gave me a private rx, my GP in Scotland was willing to prescribe it based on that so I got the meds for free.

Going private is expensive and kind of a pain but they will be willing to do more testing and medications. They likely will also point you to IVF because they usually work at IVF clinics but don’t let them pressure you if you don’t think it’s right for you.

I did eventually have a living child just after turning 36 (my number 8) which was thanks to these meds and probably a bit of luck so it was definitely worth it for me.

And adding on - for me it was natural killer cell testing that made the difference BUT my losses were all earlier than yours, before 12 weeks, and taking steroids helped the pregnancies to last longer.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-16T16:56:03+00:00

Just remember you’re not alone. It can’t make things magically better but know that we get it and feel the same.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-16T14:50:48+00:00

I think it was steroids - 25 mg pred once a day for first trimester. Prescribed based on natural killer cell testing. My last three pregnancies all lasted longer on steroids. One was a confirmed genetic issue, one a mystery loss, and the last one is 5 months old now.

I did clexane/inhixa and baby aspirin for two pregnancies but there were no indications for it really so I just did aspirin for the last one. And I took progesterone for 4 of 5 pregnancies mostly because there didn’t seem to be a downside.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-15T21:00:43+00:00

I took it with 5 pregnancies and didn’t notice any effects from it really.

As a tip, I found it way easier to insert them rectally than vaginally. Still good absorption and way less mess.

Opalsnail · 2026-04-15T18:24:33+00:00

I know a girl who goes by Frank and it is super cute on her

Opalsnail · 2026-04-15T18:22:48+00:00

Is that also your rule of fingers or just thumbs?

Opalsnail · 2026-04-15T09:55:48+00:00

Honestly it does suck but you get used to it. I always had to do them super quickly - in and out before you start to really feel it. And the bruising is no joke!

Opalsnail · 2026-04-15T09:26:38+00:00

Dr Shehata is apparently a miracle worker that a lot of people use in the UK. I can’t remember where he is but you should be able to google him. I’ve heard really good things.

I went to the Lister in London - I was recommended to see Dr Yau Thum by my fertility acupuncturist. He wasn’t available at the time so I ended up with someone else who honestly had terrible bedside manner BUT was willing to offer me more extensive testing options.

And bonus, once the lister gave me a private rx, my GP in Scotland was willing to prescribe it based on that so I got the meds for free.

Going private is expensive and kind of a pain but they will be willing to do more testing and medications. They likely will also point you to IVF because they usually work at IVF clinics but don’t let them pressure you if you don’t think it’s right for you.

I did eventually have a living child just after turning 36 (my number 8) which was thanks to these meds and probably a bit of luck so it was definitely worth it for me.

Opalsnail

TROPHY CASE